Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Medina County
Temperatures in Medina County range from a January mean low of 40°F to a July mean high near 96°F. Annual precipitation averages 28.5 inches.
Medina County ran 2,204 farms, 634,224 acres of farmland, and 37,114 head of cattle in the 2022 Census of Agriculture. Top commodities: cattle, corn, and cotton.
Quick Facts
| Region | South Central Texas / Hill Country edge |
| Top Commodities | Cattle & calves, Corn, Cotton, Vegetables, Wheat, Fruit & tree nuts |
Current Conditions
Drought status: Moderate Drought (D1) — watch for worsening; LFP not currently triggered.
Source: U.S. Drought Monitor · Updated 2026-09-08
Your Local USDA Offices
Your nearest USDA Service Center houses both NRCS (conservation programs like EQIP and CSP) and FSA (loans, disaster assistance, farm numbers). Here are the offices serving Medina County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
257 State Highway 173 N, Hondo, TX 78861
Office info is from USDA’s published directory. Call ahead to confirm hours before visiting.
What to do when you call: Ask to schedule a meeting with a conservation planner (for EQIP/CSP) or a loan officer (for FSA programs). Mention the type of operation you run and what improvements you're considering.
Forage and Grazing in Medina County
Pasture and rangeland make up roughly 56% of farmland in Medina County, about 354,275 acres. On a 2021–2025 satellite average, green-up typically begins around May and forage peaks in May. FSA sets the county’s normal grazing period separately; ask your office to confirm it, because LFP counts only the drought weeks that fall inside it.
Farm Structure in Medina County
Farms in Medina County average 288 acres, and about 31% are small operations. Roughly 26% of producers are 65 or older, which is where succession and transfer planning tends to come up. About 35,754 acres are irrigated.
What Tends to Fit in Medina County
With cattle and corn in the mix in Medina County, the practices worth raising with NRCS are prescribed grazing, livestock water development, and cross-fencing (grazing operations); cover crops, residue management, and ARC/PLC election (row-crop ground); and brush management (rangeland). Ask which ranking pool your operation fits and what scored well locally last cycle — that conversation is usually more useful than guessing from the practice list.
Programs for Medina County Operations
Based on the agricultural profile of Medina County, these programs are most likely to be relevant:
Edwards Aquifer recharge, brush management, irrigation efficiency, and rangeland improvement.
Commonly funded practices in this area: Brush management (cedar), irrigation water management, cross-fencing, prescribed grazing, and wildlife habitat management.
Not sure which programs fit? Run our free eligibility screener. It takes 2 minutes and generates a personalized action packet you can print and bring to your USDA office.
Local Conservation Priorities
Each county's NRCS Local Working Group sets the conservation practices that score highest for EQIP funding. Knowing your county's priorities before you apply can significantly improve your ranking.
How to find your county's priorities:
- Call your local NRCS office and ask: "What practices is the Local Working Group prioritizing this year?"
- Ask which EQIP ranking pool your operation fits (there may be separate pools for livestock, cropland, forestry, etc.)
- Check your state NRCS website for published ranking criteria
Bordering Counties
If your operation extends into or you compare conditions against adjacent counties, see Atascosa County, Texas, Bandera County, Texas, Bexar County, Texas, Frio County, Texas, Uvalde County, Texas, and Zavala County, Texas. Ranking criteria and cost-share rates can vary county by county even within the same state.
Your Next Steps in Medina County
- Run the eligibility screener to see which programs fit your operation: Free Screener
- Find your local USDA Service Center and call to schedule a meeting: Service Center Locator
- Read the full Texas guide for statewide program details, deadlines, and office contacts: Texas Farm Programs Guide
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